Meet our Board : Alisha Harris
Alisha Harris
At Good Business Colorado, our board members are more than advisors, they're small business owners, advocates, and connectors who bring real-world experience to everything we do. In this series, we're sitting down with some of the people shaping GBC's direction to learn what drives them, what they're hoping to build for Colorado's small business community, and a little bit about who they are outside of the workspace.
Meet Alisha Harris, Founder and CEO of Original Account Strategies (OAS), a Denver-based creative marketing agency helping clients cut through complexity with sharp, strategic design. Under her leadership, OAS was named a finalist for Startup Business of the Year, building seamless brand and digital experiences for clients across construction, healthcare, hospitality, nonprofit, and government sectors.
With an MFA in Emergent Digital Practices from the University of Denver and dual degrees in Spanish Communication for Business and Theatrical Production from the University of Maryland, Alisha is a true creative technologist — someone who moves fluidly between art, culture, and technology, and brings that lens directly to corporate problem-solving.
As GBC's Board Chair, Alisha now channels that same multidisciplinary thinking into guiding the organization's strategic direction and championing values-driven business practices across Colorado.
Read on to hear her thoughts on why clear communication is a business's most underrated growth tool, what it takes to build a more inclusive and opportunity-rich business landscape, and how a background in theater and design shapes the way she leads.
1. What drew you to join our board, and why does this work matter to you personally?
What drew me here was the idea that business can be a real force in shaping communities. The decisions we make as business owners affect far more than our own companies—they influence jobs, local economies, public policy, and the quality of people's lives. GBC/A was one of the first organizations that helped me understand that more clearly in the context of my own business and identify where I could take action. Serving on the board feels like an opportunity to contribute to that work at a strategic level, learning how the organization can continue to use its reach more effectively. I don’t see business success and positive community impact as separate goals and I’m interested in what becomes possible when we are ambitious about both.
2. What do you hope to see for small business owners, in the next few years? (Or what do you hope to see for GBCA in the near future?
I want to see clearer pathways for businesses to grow and thrive. I’d like GBC/A to help businesses understand what 'the next level' requires, both from a values perspective and also competitively. How do you attract and retain great people? How do you strengthen your position in the market? Build resilient operations? Create meaningful jobs? Grow without losing sight of the kind of company you want to be? Not every business needs to scale massively, but all businesses should have the knowledge, resources, and relationships to operate both profitably and purposefully.
3. Outside of board work, what's something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I have a lot of hobbies. I read speculative fiction and have a love for architecture, interior design, and fashion. People might also be surprised to learn that I’m a practicing artist. My work spans a variety of physical and digital mediums, which often includes building my own electronics to create interactive, tech-based art. I’m also a great cook and enjoy hosting people. My favorite holiday is Halloween and every year I plan an elaborate, intimate event to celebrate. It’s the perfect excuse for me to lean into things that matter to me: great food, good drinks, and better company.
Want to join Alisha in helping to shape what's next at GBCA? Join our Board. We're entering an exciting growth phase and looking for new board members to set strategy and guide leadership. Fill out an application by 8/31 and we'll follow up!